The use of nonionic contrast medium for gastrointestinal studies in infants

Since January 1983, the authors have conducted all gastrointestinal (GI) tract examinations in premature term infants and children up to age 3 years with nonionic water-soluble contrast agents. They used iohexol in a 1:1 dilution isoosmolar with blood, containing 150 mgJ/ml, or iopamidol (''Gastro''), containing 300 mgJ/ml. Of the more than 300 examinations performed to date, 75% were GI studies, using 5 ml/kg, and 25% were enemas, using 5-10 ml/kg. The main advantages are to using these contrast agents are absence of fluid shift, less toxic damage to the lungs when the agent is aspirated, ready resorption after perforation, and the agents are better tolerated than BaSO/sub 4/ or Gastrografin. So far, no adverse effects have been observed